Syngonium podophyllum 'Bob Allusion'

Where ‘Bob Allusion’ comes from

The olive and pink foliage of ‘Bob Allusion’ comes from Syngonium podophyllum. This tropical American vine grows naturally from Mexico southwards.

Young leaves are simple and arrow-shaped. As the stem lengthens, aerial roots help it climb and larger leaves begin to appear.

Syngonium ‘Bob Allusion’ care

Light for dense olive foliage

Give the plant bright indirect light to maintain close growth and clear pink-red veins. Harsh sun marks the thick leaves, and insufficient light increases the spaces between them. Several short shoots preserve the dense young form; a single longer stem can be supported later.

Checking a compact root ball

Let the top 2 to 3 cm dry, then water evenly and discard all drainage. Dense foliage can hide a pot that remains damp, so check its weight before adding water. A coarse mix of coir or peat, bark and perlite protects the roots from compaction.

Warmth, feeding and renewal

Temperatures from 18 to 27°C are comfortable, with 40 to 60% humidity usually sufficient. Protect wet roots from cold below 15°C. Use dilute fertiliser as fresh leaves appear. Trim an extended shoot above a node to encourage branching. Repot after the roots fill the container, and propagate from a firm nodal cutting with an intact growing point.

Issues seen on ‘Bob Allusion’

• Thick leaves droop in damp compost: Dense roots may be short of air. Inspect for dark soft tissue, remove damaged roots and repot into a looser mix. A dry light pot needs thorough watering.
• The close growth opens up: Long gaps between leaves usually follow low light or a stem beginning to vine. Improve filtered light and prune above a node if a compact plant is preferred.
• Brown edges form on several blades: Repeated drying, low humidity and concentrated feed can all mark the heavy leaves. Stabilise moisture and rinse accumulated salts from the substrate.
• Pink veins are crossed by silver scars: This new damage can indicate thrips. Fine stippling suggests mites. Check sheltered leaf bases for mealybugs and scale, isolate the plant and treat only the pest identified.
• Soft spots spread through a leaf: Remove severely affected tissue, keep the rest of the foliage dry and improve airflow. Clean tools between cuts.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Bob Allusion’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Syngonium podophyllum: name and meaning

The name Syngonium comes from Greek words meaning “together” and “reproductive organs”, referring to the united ovaries in its flowers. The species name podophyllum means “foot-leaved”, a reference to the foot-like arrangement of mature leaf divisions.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Syngonium in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described Syngonium podophyllum in 1851 in Botanische Zeitung (Berlin), volume 9, page 85.